While these sequences can be mixed (e.g., PHYSICS 140 with PHYSICS 235), the department strongly encourages students to pursue both terms of a single sequence. Students who are electing PHYSICS 140 MUST also enroll concurrently in PHYSICS 141.

Students with strong high school physics backgrounds are encouraged to take the Honors physics sequence. This sequence takes a thoroughly modern approach to introductory physics. PHYSICS 160/260 is an excellent preparation for students interested in any science major, especially a major in physics. Students do not need to be LSA Honors Program members to enroll in PHYSICS 160/260.

Prospective physical science majors and engineering students should elect PHYSICS 140/240. Pre-health and life science students should elect PHYSICS 135/235.

Students who have had less mathematics preparation, especially those who have not taken calculus, should consider enrolling in
PHYSICS 115: Principles of Physics or PHYSICS 120: Foundations of Physics
before attempting one of the above-described sequences.

Department of Physics Waitlist Policy

All PHYSICS courses, except PHYSICS 140 and PHYSICS 141 (see below), utilize the electronic waitlist on Wolverine Access. When a seat becomes available in a class that was previously full, overrides will be issued at the discretion of the department or instructor, typically in the order that students joined the waitlist, although in some cases class standing or other factors will also be taken into account. Students will have at least 48 hours to register for a course once an electronic permission is issued to them.

Special Note about PHYSICS 140/141

Electronic waitlists do not function with co-requisites, so PHYSICS 140 and PHYSICS 141 do not have Wolverine Access waitlists. Students who are unable to find a seat in PHYSICS 140 and PHYSICS 141 may email physics.sso@umich.edu to be added to a department-maintained waitlist. In the email, students should include their UMID number with one lab and one lecture section number that works with their schedule. The “paper” waitlist will function in the same manner as Wolverine Access waitlists:

Only students who are not already enrolled in the course will be able to join the waitlist.

Students may be on the waitlist for only section at a time.

Students will be removed from the waitlist after an electronic permission is issued.